“Strength And Weakness” [Reflections on Ralph D. Sawyer's Translation of One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies - Battle Tactics of Chinese Warfare #37-38]
For “Strength” is not “Offense” at all,
Nor “Weakness” is “Defense”;
But timing is the key to this
In midst of turbulence.If you can’t win, then hunker down
And wait until you can;
Sure, heebie-jeebies will set in,
But you must understand –That when the time is right, you’ll win,
If you stand down and wait;
Offense-defense are all one thing,
In this, just hesitate.Converse is true – if you can see
Some aspect they have missed,
That is the time you can press in,
With actions heaven-kissed.Some think defense a weakness is,
In fact it’s “Wait and watch”;
Protect yourself, but be alert,
So weakness you can spot.Offense is boulder on the egg-
Shell, smashing with one blow,
Not strength as such, but using strength
On weaknesses they show.Lord, when it’s flipped, I’m hearing, “Bide
In Me, I’ll tell you when;
The impact of My awesome love
Can evil beat, and then –Some person is released from mud
They’ve bogged down in – as well,
The mud’s removed, defeated, making
Better place to dwell.Of course, the heebie-jeebies part
Is what I’ve struggled with,
But better every time it’s been
When Your ways You insist –Are followed up – offense, defense,
With little care for self;
Amazing victories emerged,
As I’m brought off the shelf.Lord, it’s been tough – what helps a lot
Is seeing bigger pix
Now through the words of Sun Tsu’s book,
And on to heaven’s kiss.I feel like I know nothing still
About what’s on Your mind,
But confidence much stronger gets
As I sense strength in time.Thanks Lord for this.
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